It revolutionized the action film genre for the new millennium and gave dance choreographers a new move to expand their repertoire. To say The Matrix wasn’t a groundbreaking film is akin to suggesting that Rakim didn’t change the rap game. There were “smart” action films before The Matrix, but none of them became as popular within the zeitgeist as this Warner Bros./Wachowski Bros. smash.

The Iron Giant

Released: July 31, 1999 (15 Years)

You probably know the director of this animated film, Brad Bird, as the guy behind Pixar’s The Incredibles (AWESOME) and 2011’s Mission Impossible-Ghost Protocol (ALSO AWESOME). In 1999 he helped bring to life this sleeper animated hit that was as heart-wrenching as any live action drama and fun as any of Disney’s best. Hell, I’ll admit it: a young thug shed a few tears at the climax. Don’t judge.

Fight Club

Released: Oct. 15, 1999 (15 Years)

Fight Club featured Brad Pitt and Edward Norton in rare form, David Fincher at his directing best, and in many ways the culmination of the ‘90s postmodern world. It was a film with many interpretations, but I think one broad understanding is that it documented the maturation of Generation X.

Ed. Note: Also a phenomenal book by Chuck Palahniuk, as deranged an author as modern literature has today.

The Best Man

Released: Oct. 22, 1999 (15 Years)

Yes, we got a pretty good sequel to the film last year, but it’s always important to show appreciation to the original. The cast was a who’s who of popular African American actors and actresses at the time (and a few who would blow up even more) and the story of friendship, love, and betrayal was as universal as a Shakespeare play. Even after 15 years, the movie still stands as a great.

Michael Keaton Batman was my shit. When I was younger, I had a Batman mask from the Warner Brother’s store (the one they used in the movie minus the attached bat symbol) and used to wear that shit everywhere. I even wore it in the shower to simulate rain fall sequences lmao.